Finegold Announces Candidacy For State Senate

The Andover Democrat announced Monday that he was officially a candidate for State Senate from the 2nd Essex-Middlesex District. The district includes, Dracut, Tewksbury, Andover and Lawrence.

The news was first reported by the State House News Service.

Finegold held the 2nd Essex-Middlesex seat from 2011-2015. He opted not to seek re-election in 2014 to make a run for State Treasurer but was defeated in the Democratic Primary.

Since leaving the Senate, Finegold has focused on his law practice but has also been a frequent guest on political panel discussion shows on Boston TV stations.

State Sen. Barbara L'Italien has held the seat since 2015. She announced she would not be seeking re-election this fall in order to launch a bid for the Democratic nomination for the 3rd Congressional District. At one point, Finegold had considered joining the crowded Democratic field seeking to succeed longtime Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, who announced she planned to retire after her current term.

Finegold had been a candidate for Congress in 2007, losing in the Democratic Primary to Tsongas, who went on to win the general election.

Rather than make a second congressional bid, Finegold has decided to try and return to the State Senate.

"The Massachusetts Senate is at a crossroads. I've had the privilege of serving in that chamber and I know I have the relationships and skillset needed to get things done at a time when a clear path forward is unclear," said Finegold, in a statement announcing his candidacy.

Prior to his election to the State Senate in 2010, Finegold served 14 years as a state representative.